Publish Sheet Metal Flat Pattern

PDMPublisher allows you to automatically export sheet metal parts to 1:1 flat pattern DXF files, either from an active part document or when processing a parent assembly. This is useful for manufacturing workflows that require laser-cutting or CNC operations based on flat patterns.

Enabling Sheet Metal Export

To use this feature, you must check the option:

Export sheet metal parts to 1:1 flat pattern DXF

This setting is located under the Export section of PDMPublisher. When enabled, PDMPublisher will scan each referenced file and check if it contains Sheet Metal features. If the file is identified as a sheet metal part, it will be exported as a DXF representing the flat pattern view.

The generated DXF file name will automatically have “Flat Pattern” appended to the end of the base file name.
For example, a part named Bracket.SLDPRT will produce an exported file named:

Bracket FlatPattern.dxf

File Types and Conditions

You do not need to select DXF in the File Formats list for this export to work. The flat pattern export operates independently of the standard format selection.

However, you must ensure that the “Export references to file formats individually” option is checked. This setting allows PDMPublisher to process each referenced part independently and determine whether it qualifies as a sheet metal file.

How PDMPublisher Identifies Sheet Metal Files

PDMPublisher determines whether a file is a sheet metal part by scanning its feature tree for the presence of sheet metal features. Only files that contain these features will be exported as flat patterns. Regular parts or assemblies without sheet metal features are skipped automatically.

Supported Scenarios

From a Part Document
If the active document is a sheet metal part, PDMPublisher will generate a flat pattern DXF directly from it when publishing.
From an Assembly
When processing an assembly, PDMPublisher will inspect each referenced part. Any part that contains sheet metal features will be exported as a separate flat pattern DXF.

This functionality enables batch generation of manufacturing-ready DXFs directly from complex assemblies, without manually opening and exporting each part.